Art, History and Social Activism: CtFAC Honors Romare Bearden

In honor of the recent arrival of two spectacular Romare Bearden murals at Hartford Public Library, The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective (CtFAC) presents a special exhibit that pays homage to the stylistic works of Bearden, his commitment to civil rights and his contributions to the African-American jazz and art communities. CtFAC has created a collection of works in textiles, fiber, mixed media and surface design celebrating and recognizing one of the greatest visual artists of the 20th century.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective hosted Susan Carlson Saturday for a workshop to learn her technique of fabric collage. We had an amazing day of creative thinking and visual inspiration. Here are a few photos.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

I will let you in on a little secret.
The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective is gearing up for a show (details to be announced later) inspired by the life and collages of artist ---

Bearden was born in 1911 to parents who were active in the Harlem community. Through his parents, Bearden met writers, artists and musicians of the Harlem Renaissance who later became major influences on his art and life. While studying mathematics at New York University, Bearden created editorial drawings for the Baltimore Afro American, Colliers and The Saturday Evening Post.

He later enrolled at the Art Students League in New York where he wasencouraged to incorporate social and political commentary into his art.

After serving in the military and studying philosophy in Paris, Bearden returned to New York where he worked as a caseworker at the Department of Social Services and painted in his spare time.

In 1963 Bearden formed the Spiral Group, composed of African American artists who sought to make a contribution to the civil rights movement.

It was during this time that Bearden, who previously had worked mostly with paints, developed his collage technique.

In this technique, which was considered radical at the time, Bearden would create photomontages out of clippings from popular magazines, black and white photographs and pieces from his own art. He would then photographically enlarge the collages. Bearden chose a variety of subjects, ranging from the cotton fields of the South to the streets of Harlem and jazz clubs. This new collage technique, which he called "photomontage projections," represented a stylistic breakthrough, which Bearden continued to refine until his death in 1988.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

This weekend a new exhibit of art quilts by members of the Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective will open at the Duncaster Retirement Center in Bloomfield, CT.

In addition to spring-themed quilted wall hangings the group will present the Grey Matter Challenge in its first public showing. Each member of CTFAC received a small packet of grey fabrics and was asked to use at least 2 of the fabrics in a small open-themed art quilt. Finished pieces were then mounted on 11"x14" stretched canvas.

The opening reception is Sunday, March 2, 2014 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. Three members (Carol Vinick, Christina Blais, and Diane Cadrain) will be presenting gallery talks and other members of CTFAC will be available to answer questions about their work and inspirations.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Recently the members of CTFAC met for our monthly meeting at a local cafe. After the business was sorted out we revealed our completed Grey Matter Challenge pieces to one another. This challenge was posed early last summer when each member was given a paper bag containing several strips of grey hued commercial cotton and asked to create a small art quilt using at least 2 of the fabrics.

As always, because CTFAC is composed of such a diverse group of talented individuals, the reveal was exciting and the quilts were all very different from one another. Some members added beads and paint, others used tulle to create shadows and water effects. Everyone added their own distinct pattern of stitching to the pieces.

Rosalind Spann's Grey Matter

Christina Blais

Karen Loprete

Carol Vinick

Carol Eaton's work with Antonia Torres looking on

The assemblage, lower right work of Mary Lachman

All of the Grey Matter Challenge pieces will be exhibited at our next show at the Duncaster Center in Bloomfield next month. The "Spring Thaw" exhibit will be at the Duncaster March 1 to March 28, 2014. The opening reception is Sunday, March 2nd from 4:00-5:30 p.m.